IN THIS ISSUE...1) OUR NEW WEBSITE IS ALIVE AT LAST!2) WELCOME FROM COMMUNITY LIVING ONTARIO3) PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE IN PRODUCTION4) SMILE VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS5) VOLLEYBAL TOURNEY ADDS SPONSORS6) IMPORTANT NEW LEGISLATION ENACTED7) UNITED WAY SUPPORTS ACES/JOURNEYS8) REGISTER: VISIONING/POOL PARTY/BANQUET!9) SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

OUR NEW WEBSITE IS ALIVE AT LAST!The new LiveWorkPlay.ca went live today and the positive reviews are rolling in! "Easier to navigate" and "I love the new bees" are typical of the comments received to date. Special thanks to Simmetria for their professional support.

The website content was authored mainly by co-founder Keenan Wellar, but the static design elements (such as the many "bee banners" that grace the top of each page) were developed by Simmetria in accordance with the LiveWorkPlay vision for the site.

The new website is fully functional with the exception of the "Members Only" areas which are still in development. You are invited to drop by and explore. Keenan is actively seeking feedback, particularly if you notice any errors. With more than 300 pages of content, there is bound to be a boo-boo or two!

WELCOME FROM COMMUNITY LIVING ONTARIOIt's official! On May 1, Community Living Ontario Executive Director Keith Powell welcomed LiveWorkPlay to the Community Living Ontario Federation. There will be a formal presentation of a Certificate of Affiliate Membership at the Annual General Meeting in Markham on June 14.

Community Living Ontario is a provincial association (founded 1958) that promotes citizenship, belonging, and equality of people who have an intellectual disability. There are 112 member associations (make that 113!) and over 12,000 individual members. The goal? That all persons live in a state of dignity, share in all elements of living in the community, and have the opportunity to participate effectively. Community Living Ontario envisions a society where people who have an intellectual disability belong and feel respected.

Why did LiveWorkPlay join the Community Living Ontario family? Aside from sharing remarkably similar goals and vision, the primary motivation is to reach out more effectively. LiveWorkPlay has tremendous internal strength and a growing local profile in the Ottawa community, but to effect societal change, we need to be a part of something much bigger than we can ever hope to be on our own.

There will be many new doors opened for LiveWorkPlay and the people we serve, with opportunities for learning and sharing with other agencies, people with intellectual disabilities, family members, and professionals on a provincial, national, and international scale.

PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE IN PRODUCTION

It took about six months of hard work with two self-advocacy groups, but it all came together on May 8 with a full-day of filming in and around Ottawa's Fifth Avenue Court building. The professional crew headlined by producer Jamie Banks of Affinity Productions and director Matt West worked with 8 novice actors from SMILE and experienced actor/writer Richard Kaulbars for 6 hours to compile all the material required for the final product, a 30-second public service message.

The project began back in October with discussions about a follow-up to two previous self-advocacy group video productions, ODSP & ME and SELF-ADVOCACY & ME. This time the focus would be more about what the public needs to learn, and less about what people with intellectual disabilities need to learn.

But we don't want to give away the plot before you have a chance to see it yourself. If all goes well, there will be a broadcast launch in June. But for now you can get a sneak peak at the making of our public service message "Maybe One Day." This project was financed in part by a grant from the Community Foundation of Ottawa.

SMILE VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWSLiveWorkPlay is a proud member of the Heartwood House community for a variety of reasons, including access to challenging and rewarding volunteer positions. This includes being part of the huge team of volunteers drawn from all 15 Heartwood House organizations that participate in supporting the twice-a-year OC Transpo Unclaimed Items Sale.

The spring sale took place on May 3, and CTV Ottawa featured a story about the sale that included interviews with SMILE participants. Volunteers from LiveWorkPlay are also part of the daily team that serves the public at the lost and found, returning everything from bus passes to musical instruments to anxious and grateful members of the public.

VOLLEYBALL TOURNEY ADDS SPONSORS

The fourth annual Roger Dodger volleyball tournament for LiveWorkPlay is hosted by the Albert family June 6-8 at the Perth Tent and Trailer Park. There is lots to do for fans and players alike, and supporters are welcome to attend all or part of the festivities. Contact Ron Albert for more information!

If you can't make it to the event itself, you can make a donation through Sarah Albert's giving page. Part of the fun includes food and gear, such as hats and t-shirts. This year the meal and gear will be more than just souvenirs, thanks to sponsorship support from Daquin and Paul Villeneuve from Giant Tiger.

This new legislation has the potential to support many changes that LiveWorkPlay and its constituents have been requesting for many years, including increased flexibility and fairness regarding the manner in which government funds are distributed to agencies, individuals, and families.

The challenge from here is to ensure that the process of these transformations brings the intended result of a better life for people with intellectual disabiltiies.

UNITED WAY SUPPORTS JOURNEYS/ACES

Journeys and ACES are innovative LiveWorkPlay programs that serve youth with intellectual disabilities from age 13 to a maximum of age 21. In addition to the immediate benefits of developing new friendships and essential skills for community living, these companion programs also provide an opportunity for LiveWorkPlay to develop relationships with families.

There are significant barriers to successful transitions from life in high school to life in the community, and that very issue was one of the motivations that gave birth to the entire LiveWorkPlay organization. By starting this process during the high school years and offering insights learned from more than a decade of supporting adults with intellectual disabilities, LiveWorkPlay can offer Journeys families planning assistance that is difficult to find elsewhere.

Journeys participants recently had a blast with a special workshop hosted by Lara Vaarre of Truffle Treasures. The group made waffle bowls and gelato as well as chocolate dipped strawberries! Please don't call up Truffle Treasures looking for your own workshop, the time-demanding activity is a special treat that Lara offers exclusively to LiveWorkPlay!

Visioning Day will be held at the Hampton Inn Ottawa at 9:00am sharp. For those who are intersted, we'll leave from there for a BBQ feast at the pool party, which will once again be hosted by the Harris family. These are both free events - but Visioning Day is a pre-requisite for attending the pool party! First we work, then we party!

The annual Engines of Success Recognition Banquet will also be held at the Hampton Inn Ottawa. This is an important night for recognizing our dedicated volunteers, celebrating the achievements of Journeys and SMILE participants, and thanking partners, funders, and sponsors.

The banquet doesn't work without a big enthusiastic audience, so register today for a delicious meal and great entertainment. Along with lively recognition ceremonies we'll also have image and video presentations, and probably manage to dig up a blooper or two!

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

After reading this blog you may find yourself wondering how it is possible that so much can be happening with a small organization like LiveWorkPlay. It takes a combination of dedicated volunteers, staff, board members, families, and community partners to make it happen. And it also takes money, of which there is simply never enough.

LiveWorkPlay has a very short list of personal donors, but you can help change that! Making a donation has never been easier - it can be done as a single contribution, or better still via a monthly deduction. Just $8.33 per month results in a donation of $100 a year! You can also donate to LiveWorkPlay in the name of another person as a tribute or as a gift. Please visit our donation page to set up your contribution today!

NEW! LiveWorkPlay is now registered as a Cause on Facebook. Click here to show your support for LiveWorkPlay or to make a contribution.

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